WHAT THE LADDER HAS TO TEACH US ABOUT THE NUMBER SEVEN
by Bro. Jay Hochberg
LADDER
A symbol of progressive advancement from a lower to a higher sphere, which is
common to Masonry and to many, if not all, of the Ancient Mysteries. In each,
generally, as in Masonry, the number of steps was seven.
LADDER, BRAHMANICAL
The symbolic ladder used in the mysteries of Brahma. It had seven steps,
symbolic of the seven worlds of the Indian universe. The lowest was the Earth;
the second, the World of Re-existence; the third, Heaven; the fourth, the Middle
World, or intermediate region between the lower and the upper worlds; the fifth,
the World of Births, in which souls are born again; the sixth, the Mansion of
the Blessed; and the seventh, or topmost round, the Sphere of Truth, the abode
of Brahma, who was himself a symbol of the sun.
LADDER, KABBALISTIC
The ladder of the Kabbalists consisted of the ten Sephiroths or emanations of
Deity. The steps were in an ascending series: the Kingdom, Foundation, Splendor,
Firmness, Beauty, Justice, Mercy, Intelligence, Wisdom and the Crown. This
ladder formed the exception to the usual number of seven steps or rounds.
LADDER, MITHRAITIC
The symbolic ladder used in the Persian mysteries of Mithras. It had seven steps
symbolic of the seven planets and the seven metals. Thus, beginning at the
bottom, we have Saturn, represented by lead; Venus by tin; Jupiter by brass;
Mercury, by iron; Mars by a mixed metal; the moon, by silver; and the sun by
gold. The whole is a symbol of the sidereal progress of the sun through the
universe.
LADDER OF KADOSH
This ladder, belonging to the high degrees of Masonry, consists of the seven
following steps, beginning at the bottom: Justice, Equity, Kindliness, Good
Faith, Labor, Patience, and Intelligence or Wisdom. Its supports are love of God
and love of our neighbor, and their totality constitute a symbolism of the
devoir of Knighthood and Masonry, the fulfillments of which is necessary to make a
Perfect Knight and Perfect Mason.
LADDER, ROSICRUCIAN
Among the symbols of the Rosicrucians is a ladder of seven steps standing on a
globe of the earth, with an open Bible, square and compasses resting on the top.
Between each of the steps is one of the following letters, beginning from the
bottom: I.N.R.I.F.S.C. being the initials of "Iesus, Nazarenus, Rex, Iudaeorum,
Fides, Spes, Caritas. But a more recondite meaning is sometimes given to the
first four letters.
LADDER, SCANDINAVIAN
The symbolic ladder used in the Gothic mysteries. Dr. Oliver refers it to the
Yggrasil, or sacred ash-tree. But the symbolism is either very abstruse or very
doubtful. It retains, however, the idea of an ascent from a lower to a higher
sphere, which was common to all the mystical ladder systems. At its root lies
the dragon of death; at its top are the eagle and hawk, the symbols of life.
LADDER, THEOLOGICAL
The symbolic ladder of the Masonic mysteries. It refers to the ladder seen by
Jacob in his vision, and consists, like all symbolical ladders, of seven rounds,
alluding to the Four Cardinal and the Three Theological Virtues.
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